God Breaks His Silence: The Dawn of a New Day!
Luke 1:5-25
It is impossible to discuss – or study the events that precede the birth – as well as the actual birth of Christ – without encountering angelic visits. In these scenes the angels are scurrying about – on mission for God – as God fulfills His plans and purposes – regarding His glorious plan of redemption – the redemption of our lost souls. There are some who say – angels are just imaginative things – and then others over-exaggerate angels – they look for them under all the bushes.
Herbert Locklear – in his book – “Angels all around us” – talks about a time when he went to Nairobi Africa – on mission – to a missionary school.
In the service one day he was preaching – a native man – who later that afternoon would accept Christ as Savior – came over to Dr. Locklear. He told him what had lead him to this service – it was several months earlier – he and some other thugs – planned to climb the hill – to the school – and kidnap and kill some of the children. In the cover of darkness – as they made their way up the hill – they approached the school – to find surrounding the facility – men dressed in white robes – and they were holding swords – the swords were on fire.
I would agree with the great Puritan theologian – John Owen – who wrote in the 1600’s – “to ignore the angels – is the height of ingratitude – we should search after what may be known of them – God hasn’t revealed them for nothing – but as in all things – He expects and demands the praise and the glory.”
We could say to deny angels – denies the declaration of the gospel of grace – sent that first Christmas.
In our text – an angel plays a significant role – God tells the angel Gabriel – “Go tell the old man the gospel – the Messiah is on His way!”
May I tell you with all the gumption God gives me in my soul – that the Messiah has already come – the gospel is available – if you desire to be forgiven – right now you can take God at His word – by faith say NO to self – and YES to Jesus! Let’s take a trip back in time as we celebrate the birth of our Savior – Jesus Christ – and study one of the events of the pronouncement that Messiah will soon be in their midst! For what must have seemed like an eternity to the people of God – there was a silence from heaven – for 400 years. From the time Gabriel comes to visit Zechariah – and the last time a Prophet of God spoke “what thus saith the Lord” – there was 400 years that lapsed. Can you imagine that? – I wonder if God isn’t silent today – in this country – in many of our churches – in our lives – in our homes. The prophet Amos prophesied that there was coming a day – a day when there will be a famine – this famine will not be for food or water – but rather a famine of the HEARING of the words of the Lord.
God’s word is settled for eternity – forever – so there is no famine for the word of God – but a HEARING of the Word of God. You see – very few are preaching it – even more don’t want to hear it. So in our text – the 400 year silence of heaven – is finally broken – it is the dawn of a new day – I want us to look at this scene around what this old faithful man of God experienced.
ECSTATIC CHARGE
This may seem like an odd point – you’ll get it in a moment – look @ (vv. 5-10). Zechariah is serving God in very difficult days – the ruler of the land is a paranoid wicked killer – King Herod. At this time Herod is about 70 years old – he has already killed his sons – out of jealousy for his throne. The Roman Emperor and Senate loved him – in fact they gave him the title – King of the Jews. You can only imagine when the wise men came to him – inquiring of the one “born king of the Jews.” Not long after that – he ordered every child in the area under the age of 2 – killed – to get rid of Christ. People have been trying to get rid of Jesus for 2,000 years – He isn’t going anywhere – in fact he’s coming again – just as sure as he came the first time. These were not easy days to serve God as a priest – one thing Herod wanted – was the approval of the Jews. He built them the finest building in the land – the temple – the temple was so brilliant and laden with gold – they say you couldn’t look at it – when the sun was coming up. There is a piece of it left today – it is the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. You see the hopes of the people were the coming Messiah – Malachi prophesied 400 years earlier – “The Sun of righteousness will arise with healing in His wings”. We have in our text the dawning of the light of God’s splendor. We read (v. 5) – “priest after the order of Abijah” – that is significant. I will discuss that in a moment – Zechariahs wife of many years – was Elisabeth – they both walked in holiness before God (v. 6). The glory of their walk is magnified by the statement – “they had no child” – Elisabeth was barren – they were in their 90’s and had not had any children.
In spite of this – they walked in obedience with God – they served God faithfully. You see – for Orthodox Jews at this time – barrenness was considered the rebuke of God. This must have brought much pain through the years for them – in fact during this time – it was grounds for divorce – Oh how they must have felt and been treated. Yet they remained faithful to God – I couldn’t help but ask myself – “Would I have served God as they did?” – “Would you have served God as they did?” Why do we serve God? – because He’s good to us – so that He will be good to us – OR like these – in spite of the fact He didn’t SEEM to be good to them. Not only were they childless – they really had no hope – due to them being very old. I noticed this week – Gabriel brings news that one who couldn’t get pregnant – and one that shouldn’t be pregnant – were going to be pregnant. Look @ (vv. 8-9) – alright here is where the scene really gets good. The scene is this – it is early in the morning – the massive temple gates swing open – and there is a three-fold blast from the silver trumpets of the priests. The echoes of this blast would echo through the city – down the valley of Tyropoen – up the slopes of the upper city. It was as if the voice of God – echoes through the land – to announce the dawn of a new day. In reality – very soon the dawn of the new day will be announced from heaven – to the ears and heart of Zechariah. At this time there were 24 “divisions” – in each division there were about 1,000 priests. So in the land there were about 24,000 priests. One of the divisions – was that of Abijah – it was this divisions turn at serving in the temple – this division was the one Zechariah was a part of. One priest was on the pinnacle of the temple – waiting on the sun to reach the horizon – then he would give the signal – that is was ready to begin the sacrifice. Each day there was about 50 priests on duty – by now they had washed according to the ordinance. The individual ministries were given – by way of LOT – this prevented any carnal zeal.
The first duty of the day – was done way before dawn – that was the stirring of the red coals on the altar of burnt offering. Then they would cast lot again – to determine who would take part in the sacrifice itself. They would make ready the altar of incense – and trim the candlesticks – in the holy place. When this was done – they would then bring out the lamb – one year old – without blemish. Then as this was being prepared – they would cast lots once more – this one would tell who would be the one honored – with the highest mediatorial act – the offering of incense. This represented the prayers of the people – ONLY once in a lifetime – would one enjoy this privilege. Here is this old man – the snows of over 60 winters have fallen – as he served God – never was he able to do this. Friends understand today – that God has never once taken a break as sovereign of the universe – this was designed by God. It was Zechariahs turn – to be honored to offer the sacrifice of incense this day! This old faithful farmer – from the hillside of Judea – who was married to a woman from the lineage of Aaron. This was a time of celebration for Zechariah – but I can imagine he was nervous at the same time – going into the holy place! The time to go in was come – the others were praying outside…
So this was an ecstatic charge from the Lord….
EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCE
This is really a big day for Zechariah – we are told in (v. 10) that he went into the holy place – WOW can you imagine the thrill! Allow me to paint the scene for you once more – here was Zechariah – he had the golden censor in his hand – alone in the holy place – the only light was from the 7 branched candlestick. Just before him was the golden altar of incense – the red coals glowing – and just beyond that – the heavy veil. On the north side was the table of showbread – on the left was the candlestick – and he stood waiting on the signal – for the time to spread the incense on the altar. The time came – and Zechariah – reverently and fearfully approach the altar of incense – which was very close to the veil and the holy of holies – oh how he must have felt. Then there rose from that altar – a sweet fragrance – and cloud – and deep silence would fall on the temple. The prayers of the people – would have been of thanksgiving – and for the Messiah to come. And just as the cloud – look @ (v. 11) – DO WHAT!! – here is a 90 year old man – served God faithfully his whole life in spite of difficulties. As a priest for over 60 years serving God – FINALLY his lot was drawn to offer the incense offering in the holy place. To top it all off – the Angel Gabriel appears to him – standing next to the altar of incense!! This is the same Gabriel who Zechariah knew of (Dan 10) – wearing linen robe – garment of the high priest – solid gold belt. A body that was chisled and blue – face like lightening – eyes glowing with fire – hands and feet like polished brass – a voice like the multitude. No wonder (v. 12) – that is the understatement of the year! Look @ (vv. 13-14) – some say this is the prayer he has just prayed = I disagree – I think it is the prayer he and Elisabeth prayed for year – to have a child. Then Gabriel describes him – notice the alcohol and filling of the Spirit – used together – (vv. 15-17). He will perform his ministry in the same power of the Holy Spirit – as Elijah did.
He job is to be the forerunner – for the Lord Jesus Christ – the Messiah – rolling the carpet out for Jesus. Look @ (vv. 18-19) – Zechariah lacks some faith – he says – “how is an old man and old woman who is barren going to have a child.” “I am an old man!!” – Gabriel says – “I am Gabriel!” – Zechariah – “I stand in the very presence of God!!” – he has sent me to deliver to you – “glad tidings” – euangeleon – the GOSPEL. Zechariah – it is the dawn of a new day! – Messiah is coming.
However you want a sign – I will give you one.
EXTENDED SILENCE
Look @ (v. 20) – this was both a sign and judgment for lack of faith. It was time for Zechariah to go back out – and address the people – once in his lifetime – he goes into offer incense in the holy place.
With that privilege – came the obligation of bringing a word to the people that waited outside. Zechariah cannot speak!! – look @ (vv. 21-23) – they all knew something was going on – he completes his priestly duty – the rest of the week – and then heads back to the country.
Look @ (vv. 24-25) – both he and Elisabeth were silent. Here is the first to hear the gospel – can you imagine being a spokesman for God for years – and now you have the SCOOP – and you can’t tell anyone! How about you and I – who have the gospel – and the ability to spread the word – yet sit silent week after week! Elisabeth will break her silence – when Mary comes to visit – because she has been given good news – from Gabriel as well. Do you personally know Jesus – whom Mary has been told – do you know the Jesus John the Baptizer was born to announce? The Jesus who is God’s Son – the Messiah!
